I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 4th Darcy Coates book I have read in a row and I just absolutely love her writing. I will admit that the interactions between Dorran and Clare are getting a little annoying and repetitive but thats not going to stop me gobbling up installment 3 and 4. I would love to see more of Dorran's reactions to the world that he's not used to. All in all, 5 star writing.

I love the cover of this novel and the inside. "Secrets in the Dark" is an exciting novel by Darcy Coates. A page turner for sure.

There are eyes in the dark. There are whispers in the mist

My thoughts

My thoughts

Rating :5

Genre :apocalyptic Horror fiction

Series : Black Winter #2

Would i read more of the series ? Yes , in fact I've already read books 1-2, just need to get book 3 so i can read it and i have book 4 from NetGalley to read.

Would i recommend it? Yes, but only to the ones that love horror.But I'm already telling people they need to check her books out.

Would i read more by this author? Yes, she's one of 3 female horror authors i love to read.



Now on to my thoughts

First off I want to thank the publisher Poisoned Pen Press as well as NetGalley for letting me request and read her books, because with out them I would have never discovered one of my 3 favorite female horror authors. And one of my favorite series to read which is this one. I love how dark and creepy it , how i'm always screaming in my head no don't go there , as well as setting on the edge of my set reading the next page to see what happens next. Love the 2 main character s, and how atmosphere also helps bring the story to life, all the time it brings the creepiness and the feel that your been watched and hunting from the shadows which I loved, I thought the first book was spooky and dark but this one is so much more and after reading this one I can't wait to pick up book 3. Like I said before the twists and turns in this installment had me setting on the edge of my bed and had me sleeping with the lights on since I didn't want anything to come at me while I sleep. And even then there was a time I jumped up awoken when something woke me up, with with my heart thundering in my chest. So if you like books like that check this series out.

This was thrilling, gripping and mind twisting. I kept thinking I knew where this was going to go, but I was wrong just about every time. Sure fire sign of a great read.

But first, that cover is really creepy omg. Another book from darcy and i'm not disappointed. Now, i'm addicted! The genuineness of the ideas and its terrifying content is absolutely amazing!

Secrets. Past. Present.
Twists.
Turns on every page.
Waiting to be thrilled and entertained?
Pick up this book and see what I am talking about.
Darcy Coates is the author that will not disappoint you!

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

I have not read this book yet, because I am going to try and start with the first, but I will review after.

I read a lot of books. I've read several of Darcy Coates' books and find her suspense/ horror books very good reads, she always builds the mystery to the point that you quit trying to guess what is going to happen. This series is set in a dystopian era after the world collapses. Ms Coates has given us an original, at least to me, story line that allows her to use her skills to set readers on edge and keep them there. She is definitely an author who keeps a reader's attention on the story while she performs her magic on the side, setting us up for the next shock!!!! Add Darcy Coates to your followed authors and you will not be disappointed.

Wow! Just wow! Secrets in the Dark by Darcy Coates is not my normal reading material but I will definitely be reading the rest of this series! Since I started with the second book I am not familiar with the back story but that is okay. This book is chock full of danger called the Hollows which is what humans turned into on the last day of the world unless they escaped breathing the outside air. Clare and Dorran are on a quest to rescue Clare's sister Beth who is trapped in her at-home bunker. Apparently this is where Clare was heading on the day the world fell apart. I was enthralled with these two characters and so entwined in their journey I did not want to put down this book and thought so much about them long after i finished. I am starting book one as soon as I get my hands on it and you know what I am going to re-read the second one too, before going on to book three and four. Do they find Clare's sister Beth? You will just have to read to find out!

This was was a great read. It was dark and intense, and so unexpected.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Secrets in the Dark (Black Winter #2)
By: Darcy Coates
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, #Netgalley!!

Book #2 in this series did not disappoint!! I’m a HUGE Darcy Coates fan and have been for a couple of years. Her books continue to be spellbinding and ultimately blow me away! Since this will eventually be a 4 book series, it’s difficult to pinpoint the climax in this book — the action just keeps coming at you! I don’t want to say too much or inadvertently give too much away, because the series is an adventure best experienced with as little background knowledge as possible!! It’s a pretty wild ride.....

My one little complaint.... okay, two...:
1. Dorran, one of the main protagonists, has lived in isolation for his whole life and he speaks as though he’s always formally addressing someone. He never uses contractions and it makes his dialogue a bit stilted. Coates gives a reason for it, but it still takes a bit of getting used to.

2. Some “rescues” seem implausible, but I can get past it because they’re fun and well thought out.

If you have never read Darcy Coates, check out her books! She’s great with haunted house stories, but this series proves that she isn’t stuck in one sub-genre, and this woman can write!!

Overall, an enthusiastic 4 stars!!

This is the second installment to the Black Winter series by Darcy Coates.

I'm really excited to see where this series goes. There are two more books coming out for this series this year.

Like I stated in my review for book number one, I usually hate dystopian novels & Zombies. I am still very much enjoying this series, it has kept me hooked since I read book number one. I love Dorran and Clare, even though there is one part in particular where I hated Clare. But, that's what a good author does, they make you feel emotions...good and bad.

In this book, Dorran and Clare leave the "safety" of their home in Winterbourne to try and get to Clare's sister that lives 4 hours away. They encounter many obstacles and tense situations on their trip. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I read this. I didn't know what was going to happen! You also find out what the creatures are in this book, which was really fascinating!

Anytime anyone talks about horror books, I always recommend Darcy Coates. She is hands down my favorite horror author and I will read everything she writes! She just has a way of telling a story that gives you major creeps and keeps you on your toes.

A big thank you to Net-galley & Poisoned Pen Press for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Post Apocalyptic Perfection!

Publication date: 04/07/2020
Pages: 496
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN-10: 172822019X
ISBN-13: 978-1728220192
ASIN: B081ZZWXY

If you are a fan of Darcy Coates than you are going to love Secrets in the Dark- Black Winter Book 2! Secrets in the Dark takes off in full force where Voices in the Snow left off. (Book 1). It is very fast paced, Coates weaves the story with absolute perfection, and barely gives you time to catch your breath!

The story revolves around our survivors Clare and Dorran. There is quite a bit of propulsion in this second installment of the Black Winter saga! Many questions left at the end of Voices in the Snow will slowly be revealed, but there are many more questions by the end of this entry!

This review may be a shorter one, but I really do not want to divulge much. All I can say is if you have not read Voices in the Snow do so now! Following pick up your copy of Secrets in the Dark! This is a perfect shut-in read during this troubling COVID-19 crisis.

Overall, Darcy’s writing is fun, exciting, descriptive, tantalizing, and very intelligent! I could not put this book down! I am so excited for the forthcoming third and fourth entries of the Black Winter saga! Coates executed the climax of Secrets in the Dark perfectly in my opinion! It definitively leaves you wanting more!

I would like to express my gratitude to #netgalley, #poisonedpenpress, and #darcycoates for the opportunity to read this ARC! I would also like to thank Brandy Hinkey, my girlfriend/administrator of the Facebook group Book Nerds, for introducing me to Darcy’s works! If you would like to join an amazing group that reviews and shares books here is a link to Book Nerds. https://www.facebook.com/groups/735398456792824/?ref=share. We always love welcoming newcomers to the group! We would love to see you there!

This book was an amazing continuation of the Black Winter series after the ending of Voices in the Snow! I give Secrets in the Dark 4 1/2 🌟’s out of 5 🌟’s! There were a few minor details that I questioned if they would actually be plausible at all, but it did not take away from the story. I look forward to reading more of Darcy Coate’s books!

Secrets in the Dark a Black Winter Novel has been released today 04/07/2020! Get your copy where books are sold! Also, Voices in the Snow & Secrets in the Dark are available on Kindle Unlimited right now! Don’t miss out! Get your physical copy, ebook, or Kindle Unlimited copy today! Below are links to Darcy Coates Amazon page, and Darcy’s Goodreads Author Page. Enjoy!

https://www.amazon.com/Darcy-Coates/e/B00HVNVT0E?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_w0m_abau_000000

https://www.goodreads.com/genres/darcy-coates

Blog written by Andrew C. on 04/07/2020

Please visit and follow my blog site to stay up to date with my latest reviews at theandrewsreviews.wordpress.com

Best Regards!
Andrew C.

I have been waiting to read this since finishing the first book months ago! It did not disappoint. We pick right back up with Dorran and Clare trying to keep the house secure from the hollow. They are running low on supplies.

Clare has finally made contact with her sister Beth and learned she is trapped in her underground bunker, running out of air. Beth begs Clare to stay in the relative safety of Winterbourne but Clare could never forgive herself for not attempting to save her sister. So starts Dorran and Clare's journey away from home.

The twists and turns in this installment were making me crazy. Written in true Coates' fashion my heart was thundering in my chest as Dorran and Clare attempt to outsmart and outrun the hollow. Extremely hard to put down.

Secrets in the Dark is a unique take on something that's been done a thousand times. The pacing throughout is excellent. If you are a fan of suspense, mysteries or supernatural this is the book for you. I can't wait for part 3 to be released!

Secrets in the Dark is book 2 of what is to be a 4 part series. I would recommend reading the first, Voices in the Snow, before you read this. It would still be enjoyable to go back and read the first after but you would lose a lot of the suspense of the story which is half the fun!

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for my ARC to read and review. Also thank you Darcy for continuing to write such amazing books!

Dark, creepy, and well written. Secrets in the Dark is a compelling read and at times horrifyingly scary!

This story actually at times freaked me out. It was extremely well written. This was the first book I had read by the author and I loved it. Creepy and thrilling. I will definitely be reading more books by her!

A creppy and well written novel. full of twists and turns.
It's the first story I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Darcy Coates and Netgalley.
To be honest, I had somehow put Ms. Coates into a category with Willow Rose, and all her bullshit writings.
I was doing Ms. Coates a major disservice!
This book, hell, this story is the bombdigitty!
I need more! Now! This thing. "Story, characters and atmosphere." It got me! Truly, this stuff hit me. Please send more!
My one and only complaint, is probably nothing that most would snarf about, but since it's me,.I will!😤 I never had a sense of place. I am just one of those who needs a who, what, when, where and why! Not really, but a place. Sometimes this felt like England, then suddenly the U.S. Then again, maybe Australia. I hate that! I read books in my bedroom. My bedroom is huge! It has maps on the walls, and even the ceilings. It's weird, I know, but it's also who I am. Everything I can't fit on the walls, I've got
in maps in my nightstand. Countries! Yes. Also, the cities, and streets in those countries. "I can fold up a map like nobodies business!" So, I did love this story! I now need more! But, the "where"? I realise it's maybe too late in the series, but damn...It's got Kilometres. Feet. Meters. Gardens. Gardens in America, and gardens in England are different.
It's the difference between my cookie, and their biscuit!
Still, even without the sense of placement, this is a 4 star book!
Give it a real place, then it's 5 star.

This book was an ok read. I liked how the author wrote the plot, her characters, and the twists were pretty good. I just wish that the book was more scary.

The book was creepy, haunting and thrilling. I loved the writing style it kept me engaged and intrigued to know what happens to the characters.